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CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resusitation. It is a very important and an essential skill for maintaining life. The competences learned in CPR fall under the category of basic life support (BLS). The term 'Cardio' means Heart, whereas the term 'pulmonary' means lungs. Resusitation means 'to bring back'. So, CPR is specialized set of basic skills performed when attempting to bring back the heart and lungs into normal function.
History of CPR and BLS
The study of artificial ventilation (assisted breathing) dates back to 16th century. It evolved through the 18th and 19th centuries through research on mouth-to-mouth, manual, and positive pressure ventilation.
In 1874,Open cardiac massage was first performed during surgery. Open cardiac message is the act of compressing the heart with bare hands to pump blood.
In 1956, for the first time an external defibrillator was used on a human. A defibrillator is a machine used to shock the heart back to a normal rhythm during caridac arrest.
In 1958, researchers Safar and Elam rediscovered “mouth-to-mouth” method deemed it a superior technique for artificial respiration.
In 1960, researchers Kouwenhoven and Knickerbocker observed that forceful chest compressions produced respectable arterial pulses. In other words, provding external force on an unconscious person can provide circulation.
In 1961, Safar and Elam combined the two techniques and published the first successful use of external compressions.
In 1966, Health professionals were trained in external compressions.
In 1973, Courses started to be offered to the public in Emergency cardiac care (ECC).
In 1983, Pediatric BLS and ACLS guidelines were created.
In 1988, Infant resuscitation in BLS and ALS was made public.
1992-2000, simplification of techniques to improve retention were introduced. The chain of survival was introduced to the international community.
November 2005, world wide changes to Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support ACLS protocals and techniques were codified. The aim was to simplify techniques to improve retention, as well as to place more importance on circulation.
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